Generator coupling kit and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

A generator coupling kit is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the generator coupling kit may comprise a wire adapted to couple with a generator on a first end, the wire adapted to couple with an outdoor box on a second end; the outdoor box adapted to couple with the wire; an indoor electrical panel adapted to couple with the outdoor box via a generator breaker; and the generator breaker adapted to couple with indoor electrical panel, the generator breaker adapted to couple with the outdoor box via internal wiring, the generator breaker comprising a circuit breaker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/725,944 entitled “GENERATOR COUPLING KIT ANDMETHODS THEREOF,” filed Nov. 13, 2012, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a generatorcoupling kit. More specifically, embodiments of the present inventionrelate to a generator coupling kit for coupling a generator to anelectrical panel that may comprise a lockout box, a safety member, abreaker lock, and a voltage/amperage meter.

2. Description of Related Art

Power generators may be used to restore power to buildings and/ordevices that have lost power. Typically, power is restored with agenerator by running extension cords to the generator through open doorsand/or windows and/or by using transfer switches. Running theseextension cords through windows creates a security risk for thebuilding, creates a tripping hazard, and increases the risk ofelectrical shock to those in the vicinity.

In addition, typical permanent-type generators require the use of atransfer switch which powers a home or building in zones. While atransfer switch may be sufficient when powering specific portions of apanel are known/needed, a transfer switch limits the ability for ahomeowner to consistently run most if not all breakers on a panel atonce with a generator.

Thus, there is a need for a generator coupling kit and methods thereof.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a generatorcoupling kit. In one embodiment, a generator coupling kit is providedthat may comprise a wire adapted to couple with a generator on a firstend, the wire adapted to couple with an outdoor box on a second end; theoutdoor box adapted to couple with the wire; an indoor electrical paneladapted to couple with the outdoor box via a generator breaker; and thegenerator breaker adapted to couple with indoor electrical panel, thegenerator breaker adapted to couple with the outdoor box via internalwiring, the generator breaker comprising a circuit breaker.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a generator couplingkit is provided that may comprise a wire adapted to couple with agenerator on a first end, the wire adapted to couple with an outdoor boxon a second end; the outdoor box adapted to couple with the wire; anindoor electrical panel adapted to couple with the outdoor box via agenerator breaker; the generator breaker adapted to couple with indoorelectrical panel, the generator breaker adapted to couple with theoutdoor box via internal wiring, the generator breaker comprising acircuit breaker; a power meter coupled with the indoor electrical panel,the power meter adapted to measure the amount of electric energy beingconsumed; and an alarm system coupled with the indoor electrical panel.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, method of using agenerator coupling kit is provided that may comprise providing agenerator coupling kit comprising: a wire adapted to couple with agenerator on a first end, the wire adapted to couple with an outdoor boxon a second end; the outdoor box adapted to couple with the wire; anindoor electrical panel coupled with the outdoor box, the indoorelectrical panel comprising a main breaker, a plurality of auxiliarybreakers, and a generator breaker; an alarm system coupled with theindoor electrical panel; a lockout box locking a portion of the wirewithin the box; a safety member adapted to prevent the activation of themain breaker attached to the indoor electrical panel; and a breaker lockpreventing the activation of the generator breaker when in a lockedposition; unlocking the lockout box and removing the portion of the wirewithin the box; turning off all auxiliary breakers and the main breaker;covering the main breaker with the safety member; unlocking the breakerlock, thereby allowing activation of the generator breaker; turning onthe generator; connecting the wire to the generator and the outdoor box;and turning on the generator breaker and at least one of the pluralityof auxiliary breakers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofembodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above, may behad by reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrateonly typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope ofthe present invention, and, therefore, are not to be consideredlimiting, for the present invention may admit to other equally effectiveembodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin an assembled configuration in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of using a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an alarm system to be adapted to agenerator coupling kit in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary voltage and/or amp meter for use with agenerator coupling kit in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary generator for use with a generator couplingkit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary outdoor box, wire, and plug in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention in an un-stored configuration;

FIG. 7B depicts an exemplary outdoor box, wire, and lockout box inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention in an unstoredconfiguration; and

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and arenot meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or theclaims. As used throughout this application, the words may and “can” areused in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to),rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, thewords “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but notlimited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals havebeen used, where possible, to designate like elements common to thefigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a generatorcoupling kit. More specifically, embodiments of the present inventionrelate to a generator coupling kit for coupling a generator to anelectrical panel that may comprise a wire, an outdoor box, a generatorbreaker, internal wiring, a voltage/amp meter, an alarm system, and/orthe like.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a generatorcoupling kit may be adapted to couple a generator with an electricalpanel, thereby eliminating the need for running extension cords throughopen doors, windows, and/or the like, and for transfer switches. Bycoupling the generator with an electrical panel, the tripping hazardcaused by running cords through open doors and/or windows, the securityrisk, and the risk of electrical shock, can be substantially reducedand/or eliminated. Embodiments of the present invention may be adaptedto allow a homeowner, or the like, to consistently run most if not allbreakers on an electrical panel at once with a generator.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In exemplaryembodiments, a generator 102 may be coupled to an indoor electricalpanel 110 and/or the like, via a generator coupling kit in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. A generator coupling kit maycomprise a generator 102, a plug 104, a wire 106, an electrical panelconnector 105, an outdoor box 107, a voltage/amp meter 114, internalwiring 117, an indoor electrical panel 110, a generator breaker (SeeFIG. 2), a safety member (See FIG. 2), a breaker lock (See FIG. 2), alockout box (See FIG. 7B), an alarm system (See FIG. 4), and/or thelike. In exemplary embodiments the generator coupling kit may be adaptedto connect a generator 102 to an outdoor box 107 via a wire 106 and/oran outdoor box 107 to an indoor electrical panel 110 via internal wiring117, and or/the like. In some embodiments, the generator coupling kitmay be adapted to perform and/or assist in load balancing or loadmatching of electrical power and/or the like.

An outdoor box 107 may be connected to an indoor electrical panel 110and/or a voltage/amp meter 114 via internal wiring 117 through a hole140 in a wall 130, and/or the like. The wall 130 may be, for example, anexterior wall of a home or commercial building. The hole 140 maycomprise an aperture, channel, conduit, and/or the like for allowing anelectrical connection between an outdoor box 107 and an indoorelectrical panel 110. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention,the wires, such as the wire 106, internal wiring 117, and/or the likemay be passed through a conduit to create a more secure, stable,protected connection. In some embodiments, the hole 140 may be formed bydrilling or otherwise creating an aperture in a structure, such as awall, separating an indoor electrical panel 110 from an outdoor box 107and/or the like. In some embodiments, multiple holes 140 in locations,sizes, and shapes adapted to allow a connection between the interiorelectrical panel 110 and the outdoor box 107 a may be used. In someembodiments, the holes 140 may be formed in the same shape and/or sizeas the internal wiring 117, the wire 106, and/or the like. In someembodiments, a closure member, such as a door, or the like may be placedon one or both sides of the hole 140 to enable a user to close the holewhen the wires 106, 117 are removed and/or the like.

In some embodiments, an outdoor box 107 may be hard wired to an indoorelectrical panel 110 and/or a voltage/amp meter 114 via internal wiring117 and/or may be connected with wires having plugs and/or the like onone or more ends of internal wiring 117. Although the term “internalwiring” 117 is used, a portion of the internal wiring 117 may extendoutside of a structure, such as a home or commercial building. Forexample, the internal wiring 117 may couple the generator 102 directlywith an indoor electrical panel 110, and/or the like, such that aportion of the internal wiring 117 is outdoors and a portion of theinternal wiring 117 is indoors. The generator coupling kit may beadapted to couple with any type of portable, semi-portable, or fixedgenerator. An exemplary generator is depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary generator 102 for use with a generatorcoupling kit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Agenerator 102 may comprise any type of generator consistent with theembodiments disclosed herein and any device that converts mechanicalenergy into electrical energy. For example, a generator 102 may comprisea gasoline generator, a diesel generator, a propane generator, arecreation generator, an emergency generator, a professional generator,an engine generator, a turbine generator, an internal combustion enginegenerator, a wind powered generator, a solar powered generator, a handcranked generator, and/or the like. In some embodiments, more than onegenerator 102 may be included and may be connected with multiple wires106 that connect to an outdoor box and/or the like. In some embodimentsa generator 102 may comprise a 5 kW, 6.5 kW, 8 kW, 10 kW, 15 kW, 25 kW,30 kW or a greater than 30 kW rated generator. A generator 102 maycomprise a power source 111, such as a mechanical engine, and/or anoutput 109 adapted to couple with a wire 106. In some embodiments, theoutput 109 may comprise an outlet adapted to couple with the prongsand/or the like of a plug 104 at the end of a wire 106. The output 109may be adapted to output power generated by the power source 111 to thewire 106.

The generator 102 may be located in the general proximity of the outdoorbox 107 and/or the like, such that the required length of a wire 106and/or the like may be substantially reduced and/or minimized. Thegenerator 102 may be portable or may be permanently or semi-permanentlyfixed in a location in proximity to the outdoor box 107. In someembodiments, the generator 102 may be connected to the outdoor box 107via underground wires through conduits, and/or the like. In someembodiments, a computer monitoring system may be coupled with thegenerator, the computer monitoring system adapted to shut off thegenerator in cases of emergency or automatically turn on the generatorin the event the power of a dwelling, commercial building, and/or thelike is shut off. The computer monitoring system may also be adapted toalert the building owner via text message, email, audible alert, visualalert, and/or the like in the event the power to the dwelling from apower company is lost and the generator is activated. In someembodiments, a generator 102 may be included in the generator couplingkit, and/or the generator coupling kit may be adapted to electricallycouple with any generator consistent with the present disclosure.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the plug 104 may be adapted to plug into thegenerator 102 and couple with the wire 106 and/or the like. The plug 104may comprise any electrical plug suitable for use with a generator. Forexample, the plug may comprise a plug of the following types: IEC 60320C13/C14; IEC 60320 C19/C20; IEC 60309 2 Phase+Earth; IEC 60309 3Phase+Earth; IEC 60309 3 Phase+Earth+Neutral; NEMA 5-15P; NEMA L5-15P;NEMA 5-20P; NEMA L5-20P; NEMA L5-30P; NEMA 6-15P; NEMA L6-15P; NEMA6-20P; NEMA L6-20P; NEMA L6-30P; NEMA L14-30P; A-TYPE; B-TYPE; C-TYPE;D-TYPE; E-TYPE; F-TYPE; G-TYPE, H-TYPE; I-TYPE; J-TYPE, K-TYPE; L-TYPE;M-TYPE; and/or the like. In some embodiments, the plug 104 may comprisean L16 or an L14-30 male plug, such as a 30 amp twist lock male plug.The plug 104 may be adapted to couple with a wire 106. In someembodiments, more than one plug 104 may be included in a generatorcoupling kit. The electrical panel connector 105 may be identical to theplug 104 described herein and/or may be adapted to couple with theoutdoor box 107.

The wire 106 may comprise a wire suitable for use with embodiments ofthe present invention, and may comprise a portable cord. The wire 106may comprise an electrical wire comprising an insulated conductoradapted to carry electricity. In some embodiments, the wire may 106 maybe in compliance with one or more electrical codes. For example, thewire 106 may comprise a wire of the following types: S, SE, SEO, SEOW-A,SEW-A, SJE, SJEO, SJEO-A, SJEW-A, SJO, SJOW-A, SJTO, SJTOW-A, SJTW-A,SJT, SVT, SEOW, SJ, SJOW, SO, SOW, SOW-A, SPT-1, SPT-2, SPT-3, ST, STO,STOW-A, STW-A, SVT, T, TW, THN, THHN, THWN, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the wire 106 may comprise a 10-4 s/o 600V wire. The wire106 may be of a length capable of connecting the generator 102 with anoutdoor box 107 and/or an indoor electrical panel 110. For example, thewire 106 may comprise a length of 20′ to 80′. The outdoor box 107 may beadapted to couple with the generator 102, for example, via the wire 106,and couple with an indoor electrical panel 110 via internal wiring 117and/or the like. An exemplary outdoor box 107 is depicted in FIGS. 7Aand 7B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an exemplary outdoor box 107, wire 106,electrical panel connector 105, lockout box 108, and plug lock 170 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. During active useof the generating coupling kit, the wire 106 may be connected to theoutdoor box 107 via the electrical panel connector 105 and/or the like.Although one outdoor box 107 is depicted, the use of more than oneoutdoor box 107 is contemplated within embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In exemplary embodiments, the outdoor box 107 may comprise apanel adapted to provide an electrical power feed received from agenerator and/or the like. While both an indoor electrical panel 110 andan outdoor box 107 are depicted in the Figures, in some embodiments onlyone of the two may be utilized. In some embodiments, more than oneoutdoor box 107 and/or more than one indoor electrical panel 110 may beincluded. In some embodiments the outdoor box 107 may be adapted tobalance and/or regulate a load of electricity. The outdoor box 107 maybe adapted to couple with a generator, or the like, and/or couple withan indoor electrical panel.

In exemplary embodiments, when not in use, the electrical panelconnector 105, a portion of the wire 106, a plug 104 and/or the like maybe stored and locked/secured in a lockout box 108 for safety reasons.The lockout box 108 may be attached to and/or adjacent to the wall 130,may be a standalone unit detached from the wall, and may be of a sizesufficient to store the electrical panel connector 105, the plug 106, aportion of the wire 106, and/or the like. For example, the lockout box108 may be adapted to store the electrical panel connector 105 withinthe lockout box 108. In some embodiments, the lockout box 108 may beformed in the shape of the electrical panel connector 105 such thatmovement of the electrical panel connector 105 within the lockout box108 is restricted, thereby substantially protecting the electrical panelconnector 105 from damage. The lockout box 108 may be locked and securedin a locked condition with a plug log 170. The plug lock 170 and anylock described herein may comprise a mechanical key opened lock, acombination lock, a digital lock, a fingerprint-secured lock, FOB openedlock, and/or the like. The lockout box 108 may comprise an integraland/or separate plug lock 170. In some embodiments, the lockout box 108may comprise an opening for allowing the wire 106 to pass out of the box108 while locking the electrical panel connector 105 within the box.Although one lockout box 108 is depicted multiple boxes may be providedfor locking the plug 104 and/or the electrical panel connector 105 inindividual boxes. A generator coupling kit in accordance with exemplaryembodiments may comprise a power meter, such as a voltage and/or ampmeter, or the like.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary voltage and/or amp meter 114 for use with agenerator coupling kit in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In exemplary embodiments, a voltage/amperage meter 114 may becoupled with an electrical panel, such as panels 107 or 110 describedwith respect to FIG. 1. The voltage/amperage meter 114 may be adapted todisplay an amount of amps/volts/watts currently in use, thereby allowingfor a calculation of available amperage. The meter 114 may be adapted tocouple with internal wiring 117 and/or the like. The meter 114 maycomprise a display 115 adapted to display the amount of power currentlyin use and/or the available amperage. The display 115 may comprise adigital display or a mechanical display, such as a needle indicator. Anamount of available amperage is generally dependent on the type ofgenerator being used. In some embodiments, a 5500 watt generator may beused, which will allow use of 20 amps per phase. The voltage/amperagemeter 114 may be coupled to a 15 amp s1 pole circuit breaker and/or thegenerator breaker 112. In some embodiments, the voltage/amperage meter114 may comprise a 1 phase 220 AC amp meter, or the like. Thevoltage/amperage meter 114 may also be coupled with a 5 amp 250 voltfuse slow blow, or the like. In some embodiments, the meter 114 maycomprise one or more phase indicators 121 for indicating a phase, forexample, L1, L2, and L3 as active and/or to be measured.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the generator coupling kit may compriseinternal wiring 117. In exemplary embodiments, internal wiring 117, maycomprise one or more wires suitable for use with embodiments of thepresent invention, and may comprise an electrical cord adapted todirectly couple with an outdoor box 107, an indoor electrical panel 110,and/or a voltage/amp meter 114, other components described herein,and/or the like. The wiring 117 may comprise an electrical wirecomprising an insulated conductor adapted to carry electricity. In someembodiments, the wiring 117 may be in compliance with one or moreelectrical codes. For example, the wiring 117 may comprise a wire of thefollowing types: S, SE, SEO, SEOW-A, SEW-A, SJE, SJEO, SJEO-A, SJEW-A,SJO, SJOW-A, SJTO, SJTOW-A, SJTW-A, SJT, SVT, SEOW, SJ, SJOW, SO, SOW,SOW-A, SPT-1, SPT-2, SPT-3, ST, STO, STOW-A, STW-A, SVT, T, TW, THN,THHN, THWN, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the wiring 117 maycomprise a 10-4 s/o 600V wire. The wiring 117 may be of a length capableof connecting the outdoor box 107 with the indoor electrical panel 110,and/or the like. For example, the wiring 117 may comprise a length of 1′to 80′. In exemplary embodiments, the generating coupling kit mayinclude, or may be adapted to couple with, an indoor electrical panel110. An exemplary indoor electrical panel 110 is shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin an assembled configuration in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. In accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the portion of the kit depicted may comprise an indoorelectrical panel 110, internal wiring 117, a safety member 120, abreaker lock 150, and a voltage/amperage meter 114. The indoorelectrical panel 110 may comprise a generator breaker 112, a mainbreaker 116, and/or auxiliary breakers 118. The generator breaker 112may be connected to an outdoor box 107 and/or a generator via theinternal wiring 117 and/or the like. To install the generator couplingkit, the outdoor box 107 may be installed and/or coupled with the indoorelectrical panel 110. The outdoor box 107 and/or the generator may becoupled with the indoor electrical panel 100 via a generator breaker112. The generator breaker 112 may be adapted to switch on and off thepower received from the generator. The indoor electrical panel 110 mayalso be coupled with a power meter 114 via internal wiring 117 and/orthe like.

The indoor electrical panel 110 and/or outdoor box may comprise acomponent of an electricity supply system adapted to divide anelectrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while providing aprotective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a commonenclosure. The indoor electrical panel 100 and/or outdoor box maycomprise a main switch and/or residual-current devices (RCD) or residualcurrent breakers with overcurrent protection (RCBO). The indoorelectrical panel 100 and/or outdoor box 100 may comprise a distributionboard, a breaker panel, a circuit breaker panel, a consumer unit (CU)an, electrical panel, a fuseboard, an electric board, a fusebox, abreaker box, a load center, a panelboard, a power breaker, a servicepanel, an alternating current distribution board, and/or a directcurrent distribution board.

The generator coupling kit may also comprise a safety member 120 and abreaker lock 150 for safety reasons. The safety member 120 may beadapted to cover one or more breakers, for example, the main breaker116, for safety reasons. For example, the safety member 120 may beinstalled over the main breaker 116 to prevent the main breaker 116 frombeing turned on when the generator breaker 112 is turned on. In someembodiments, the indoor electrical panel 110 may be adapted to couplewith a computerized system that prevents activation of the main breaker116 when the generator breaker 112 is activated. In some embodiments,the breaker lock 150 may comprise a lock or other device adapted toprevent the generator breaker, and/or the like from being turned onand/or off when the breaker lock 150 is engaged and locked. In someembodiments, the generator coupling kit may comprise a 30 amp lockoutfor inside of the panel 110. Once the generator coupling kit isinstalled, power may be restored to certain areas of the building byturning on/activating a number of auxiliary breakers 118, the specificbreakers to be activated dependent upon the areas of the building theuser desires to restore power to.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in exemplary embodiments, to install thegenerator coupling kit, the plug 104 may be connected to the wire 106. Ahole 140 may be drilled on the outside of the building as close to thepanel 110 as possible. The hole 140 may be of a size suitable forembodiments of the present invention. For example, the hole 140 may beadapted to allow the wire 106 to pass from the exterior of the buildingto the interior for coupling with the panel 110. The panel 110 maycomprise any panel suitable for embodiments of the present invention.For example, the panel 110 may comprise a circuit breaker panel or thelike. In some embodiments, the panel 110 may comprise a 30 circuit 200amp main breaker. When the hole 140 is drilled and/or otherwise made,the wire 106 may be fed through the hole inside of the building throughthe wall 130.

A generator breaker 112 may be installed in the panel 110 for couplingwith the wire 106. When installing the kit, to make the process ofinstalling the generator coupling kit easier, it may be useful for theinstaller to mark the panel 110 with the location of the breakers and/orthe like ahead of time. The generator breaker 112 may comprise anybreaker suitable for embodiments of the present invention. For example,the generator breaker 112 may comprise a 30 amp 2 pole breaker. When thewire 106 is fed into the building through the hole 140, the wire 106 maybe connected to the panel 110. In some embodiments, the wire 106 maycomprise one or more ground wires, hot wires, and neutral wires. Theground wires may be colored green, the hot wires may be colored black,and the neutral wires may be colored white, as is standard in NorthAmerica. Other coloring schemes, such as the international scheme(brown, blue, green w/yellow stripe) may be used as well. In someembodiments, the wire 106 may comprise a green wire, a white wire, andtwo black wires. The green wire may be connected to a ground, which maybe any place metal exists on the panel 110. The white wire may beattached to a neutral bar on the panel 110. The two black wires may beattached to the generator breaker 112, which may be a 30 amp two polebreaker. In some embodiments there may be 2 circuits, one on L-1 and oneon L-2. In some embodiments, there may be 3 circuits, one on L-1, one onL-2, and one on L-3.

In exemplary embodiments, the safety member 120 may comprise a signwarning the user to refrain from operating a main breaker 116. Forexample, the safety member 120 may be a sign having the phrase “DANGERDO NOT OPERATE” printed thereon. The safety member 120 may be adapted tocover, conceal, and/or block access to the main breaker 116 to preventits use. In some embodiments, a breaker lock 150 may be adapted toprevent the use of the generator breaker 112 when the generator 102 isnot active and coupled with the generator coupling kit. The breaker lock150 may secure the generator breaker 112 in an off position. A number ofadditional breaker locks 150 may also be used. For example a breakerlock may be used on the main breaker 116 to prevent its use duringoperation of the generator coupling kit.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of using a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, a generator coupling kit,such as the examples disclosed herein with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 isprovided for use at step 310, where the method may begin. Inembodiments, such a generator coupling kit may generally comprise aplug, a wire, an electrical panel connector, a lockout box, a safetymember, a breaker lock, and/or a voltage/amperage meter. Forconvenience, the method 300 of FIG. 3 is described with reference to thegenerator coupling kit described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1-2.The method 300 may be carried out using other embodiments as well.

At step 320, the generator coupling kit may be installed using any ofthe methods described herein with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, and/or anymethod of installation consistent with the present invention. After thegenerator coupling kit is installed it may be placed in a storedconfiguration. The stored configuration may comprise, for example, theplug 104, the electrical panel connector 105, and/or a portion of thewire 106 being locked in the lockout box 108 and the breaker lock 150locking the generator breaker 112 in an off position. When the generatorcoupling kit is desired to be used, the generator coupling kit may betaken out of storage. The user may activate the generator coupling kitand activate generated power to a building at step 330.

In exemplary embodiments, at step 330, the lockout box 108 may beunlocked and the plug 104 and wire 106 removed. For safety reasons, allauxiliary breakers 118 may be turned off one by one and the main breaker116 may be turned off last. After the main breaker 116 is turned off,the safety member 120 may be installed. By way of example, when thesafety member 120 is a sign reading “Danger Do Not Operate,” or thelike, the sign may be placed over the main breaker 116 so that the mainbreaker 116 cannot be turned on without displacing the safety member120. Installing the safety member 120 may prevent users formaccidentally turning on the main breaker 116. The breaker lock 150 maythen be removed from the generator breaker 112, which may be a 30 amp 2pole breaker. The generator 102 may then be turned on.

In exemplary embodiments, after the generator 102 is turned on, the plug104, which may be a L16 male plug, may be connected to the generator102. The electrical panel connector 105 may be connected to the outdoorbox 107 before or after turning on the generator and connecting the plug104 to the generator 102. The user may then turn on the generatorbreaker 112 on the panel 110, which may control the voltage/amperagemeter 114. After the generator breaker 112 is turned on, a number ofauxiliary breakers 118 may be turned on, for example, one by one. Themain breaker 116, however, must not be turned on for safety reasons. Aseach of the auxiliary breakers 118 is turned on, the voltage/amperagemeter 114 may be adapted to display the amperage that is being used. Theuser must stay within the amperage that is allowed by the generator 102,thereby allowing the areas of the building powered by the auxiliarybreakers 118 to receive an amount of power. Devices in the building maynow be used and receive power from the generator 102. When the user hasbeen informed by the electric provider, such as the electric company,that power has been restored, the power from the generator may bedeactivated at step 340, and the generator coupling kit may be returnedto a stored position.

In exemplary embodiments, at step 340, when the main power source hasbeen restored, each of the auxiliary breakers 118 that had been turnedon may now be turned off one by one. The generator breaker 112 may thenbe turned off and the breaker lock 150 may be placed on the generatorbreaker 112, thereby securing the generator breaker 112 in a lockedposition. The generator 102 may be turned off, and the wire 106 may berolled up and secured with the plug 104, and/or the electrical panelconnector 105 in the lockout box 108, and the lockout box 108 may belocked. The safety member 120 may then be removed from the positioncovering the main breaker 116, and the main breaker 116 may be turnedon. After the main breaker 116 is turned on, the auxiliary breakers 118may then be turned on one by one, thereby restoring the main source ofpower to the building. After the main source of power is restored, themethod may end at step 350.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an alarm system to be adapted to agenerator coupling kit in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In many embodiments, an alarm system 460 may comprise a powerdetection member from the main power line into a home or building, anotification member 462, and a switch 464. In many embodiments, thepower detection member may comprise any line or wire fed off the mainpower line, which would be live when power were restored to the home orbuilding. The alarm system 460 may be provided and connected to a panelas a separate unit or built within the panel with electronics boards.

When the main power line is live and power is restored, through avariety of components (for example, as schematically shown), thenotification member 462 is triggered. The notification member maycomprise any audible and/or visual notification mechanism capable ofalerting the owners of the home or building that power has been restoredand the generator is no longer needed. In many embodiments, thenotification member 462 may comprise an audible buzzer, bell, or thelike. In other embodiments, the notification member 462 may comprise aflashing light or may be linked to a light or lights within the home orbuilding. In further embodiments, the notification member 462 maycomprise a device connected to the home or building's telephone system,such that the telephone may ring and provide an audible notification. Ineven further embodiments, the notification member 462 may be adaptedinto a multimedia system, for example, into a fiber optic televisionline, such that a visual notification may be displayed on a televisionscreen within the home or building. In further embodiments, thenotification member 462 may be adapted to transmit an electronic alert,such as an e-mail, a text message, a social media message, and/or thelike indicating that the power has been restored.

Generally, the notification means 462 will continue to operate untilterminated by the owner/agent of the home or building via a switch 464.In various embodiments, the switch may include any type of mechanism toshut off the power supply to the notification means 462. In certainembodiments, the switch 464 may be wired to the generator and/orgenerator panel, and when the generator and/or generator panel are offor deactivated, the switch 464 may terminate the notification member462.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a portion of a generator coupling kitin accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The generator102, wire 106, indoor electrical panel 110, wall 130, voltage/amp meter114, alarm system 460, and hole 140 are generally described hereinabovewith respect to FIGS. 1-7B. In exemplary embodiments, the wire 106 maycomprise a plug 104 on one end for coupling with the generator 102. Thewire 106 may pass directly through the outdoor box 107 and couple with acontrol panel 160. The control panel 160 may be adapted to house and/orcouple with the voltage/amp meter 114, a relay, an alarm system 460,and/or the like. The cable 106 may couple directly with the controlpanel 160, for example, via internal wiring 117. The internal wiring 117may comprise 4 wires comprising two hot wires, one neutral wire, and oneground wire, and/or the like. Although depicted as two separatecomponents, the wire 106 and internal wiring 117 connecting thegenerator to the control panel 106, and/or the like may comprise asingle wire. For example, the wire 106 and internal wiring 117 maycomprise an SO wire, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the externalbox 107 may comprise a pullthrough box, a pullbox, and/or the like andmay facilitate the pulling through of the wire 106 through the externalbox 107 and the hole 130 to the control panel 160 and/or the like. Insome embodiments, the wire 106, internal wiring 117, and or the like maypass through a conduit or the like. For example, a conduit 162 and/orseal tight material may be adapted to facilitate the coupling of thewires from the control panel 160 to the indoor electrical panel 110.

In some embodiments, the kit may be adapted for use with a 30 ampsystem, a 60 amp system, and/or the like. In some embodiments, a kit maycomprise a wire 106, a relay, a meter 114, a control panel 160, agenerator breaker 112, a lock box 108, an outdoor box 107, which maysimply be a pullthrough box or may be an electrical panel, a danger or“do not touch sign” for covering the main breaker, an alarm system 460,and/or the like. and/or the like. The meter 114 may be intergral withthe control panel 160 or may be a standalone unit. The meter 114 mayreceive power from the generator and may measure the amps being utilizedfor each phase so that the user will know how close to a predeterminedlimit they are and the user can choose to selectively turn on and offdevices powered by the generator and/or breakers in the indoorelectrical panel to optimize the load of the phases and/or optimize theamount of electricity being pulled from the generator and/or the like.In some embodiments, the meter 114 may comprise a battery poweredbackup. In some embodiments, the mete

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention are merely possible examples of implementations,merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of thedisclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to theabove-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departingsubstantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A generator coupling kit comprising: a wireadapted to couple with a generator on a first end, the wire adapted tocouple with an outdoor box on a second end; the outdoor box adapted tocouple with the wire; an indoor electrical panel adapted to couple withthe outdoor box via a generator breaker; and the generator breakeradapted to couple with indoor electrical panel, the generator breakeradapted to couple with the outdoor box via internal wiring, thegenerator breaker comprising a circuit breaker; wherein the generatorbreaker is not a transfer switch; wherein the generator coupling kit isadapted to couple the generator to the indoor electrical panel withoutthe use of a transfer switch; and wherein the generator coupling kit isadapted to provide power to the entire indoor electrical panel.
 2. Thegenerator coupling kit of claim 1, further comprising: a power metercoupled with the indoor electrical panel, the power meter adapted tomeasure the amount of electric energy being consumed.
 3. The generatorcoupling kit of claim 2 wherein the power meter comprises a voltage/ampmeter.
 4. The generator coupling kit of claim 1, further comprising: analarm system coupled with the indoor electrical panel, the alarm systemcomprising: a power detection member adapted to detect the presence ofpower; a notification member adapted to notify a user if the powerdetection member detects the presence of power; and a switch adapted toselectively enable and disable the alarm system.
 5. The generatorcoupling kit of claim 4, wherein the notification member is adapted toprovide at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert to the userif the power detection member detects the presence of power.
 6. Thegenerator coupling kit of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises: a plugadapted to couple with the generator; and an electrical panel connectoradapted to couple with the outdoor box.
 7. The generator coupling kit ofclaim 6, further comprising a lockout box adapted to lock the electricalpanel connecter within the box, thereby preventing access to theelectrical panel connector and use of the wire while the lockout box islocked.
 8. The generator coupling kit of claim 1, further comprising asafety member adapted to prevent the activation of a main circuitbreaker attached to the indoor electrical panel.
 9. The generatorcoupling kit of claim 1, further comprising a breaker lock adapted toprevent the activation of the generator breaker.
 10. The generatorcoupling kit of claim 1, wherein the internal wiring is adapted tocouple outdoor box and the indoor electrical panel through a hole in awall.
 11. A generator coupling kit comprising: a wire adapted to couplewith a generator on a first end, the wire adapted to couple with anoutdoor box on a second end; the outdoor box adapted to couple with thewire; an indoor electrical panel adapted to couple with the outdoor boxvia a generator breaker; the generator breaker adapted to couple withindoor electrical panel, the generator breaker adapted to couple withthe outdoor box via internal wiring, the generator breaker comprising acircuit breaker; a power meter coupled with the indoor electrical panel,the power meter adapted to measure the amount of electric energy beingconsumed; and an alarm system coupled with the indoor electrical panel;wherein the generator breaker is not a transfer switch; wherein thegenerator coupling kit is adapted to couple the generator to the indoorelectrical panel without the use of a transfer switch; and wherein thegenerator coupling kit is adapted to provide power to the entire indoorelectrical panel.
 12. The generator coupling kit of claim 11 wherein thepower meter comprises a voltage/amp meter.
 13. The generator couplingkit of claim 11 wherein the alarm system comprises: a power detectionmember adapted to detect the presence of power; a notification memberadapted to notify a user if the power detection member detects thepresence of power; and a switch adapted to selectively enable anddisable the alarm system.
 14. The generator coupling kit of claim 13,wherein the notification member is adapted to provide at least one of anaudible alert and a visual alert to the user if the power detectionmember detects the presence of power.
 15. The generator coupling kit ofclaim 11, wherein the wire comprises: a plug adapted to couple with thegenerator; and an electrical panel connector adapted to couple with theoutdoor box.
 16. The generator coupling kit of claim 15, furthercomprising a lockout box adapted to lock the electrical panel connecterwithin the box, thereby preventing access to the electrical panelconnector and use of the wire while the lockout box is locked.
 17. Thegenerator coupling kit of claim 11, further comprising a safety memberadapted to prevent the activation of a main circuit breaker attached tothe indoor electrical panel.
 18. The generator coupling kit of claim 11,further comprising a breaker lock adapted to prevent the activation ofthe generator breaker.
 19. A method for using a generator coupling kit,the method comprising: providing a generator coupling kit comprising: awire adapted to couple with a generator on a first end, the wire adaptedto couple with an outdoor box on a second end; the outdoor box adaptedto couple with the wire; an indoor electrical panel coupled with theoutdoor box, the indoor electrical panel comprising a main breaker, aplurality of auxiliary breakers, and a generator breaker; an alarmsystem coupled with the indoor electrical panel; a lockout box locking aportion of the wire within the box; a safety member adapted to preventthe activation of the main breaker attached to the indoor electricalpanel; and a breaker lock preventing the activation of the generatorbreaker when in a locked position; unlocking the lockout box andremoving the portion of the wire within the box; turning off allauxiliary breakers and the main breaker; covering the main breaker withthe safety member; unlocking the breaker lock, thereby allowingactivation of the generator breaker; turning on the generator;connecting the wire to the generator and the outdoor box; and turning onthe generator breaker and at least one of the plurality of auxiliarybreakers; wherein the generator breaker is not a transfer switch;wherein the generator coupling kit is adapted to couple the generator tothe indoor electrical panel without the use of a transfer switch; andwherein the generator coupling kit is adapted to provide power to theentire indoor electrical panel.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: receiving an indication from the alarm system that the powerhas been restored; turning off the at least one of the plurality ofauxiliary breakers and the generator breaker; locking the breaker lock;turning off the generator; removing the wire from the generator and theoutdoor box; locking a portion of the wire in the lockout box; removingthe safety member; turning on the main breaker; and turning on the leastone of the auxiliary breakers.